Date Published: 1-17-2023
Photo Credit: Yong Kim/Philadelphia Inquirer
When looking at the play of Provorov both last season and the 2020-21 season, it’s clear the defenseman wasn’t at his best, neither was the team in general. Couples with Provorov’s high ice time and usually starting his shifts in the defensive zone. It’s only going to make a defenseman who logs a lot of ice time have less than ideal statistics. We’re not even factoring that his defensive partner has been an influx for approximately two years, finally he has a true number one defenseman in the making playing alongside him, an offensive defenseman in Cam York.
Now something else has popped up. Ivan Provorov refused to wear Pride Jersey’s during Pre-Game warm-ups ahead of the tilt against the Anaheim Ducks, and that was confirmed by Flyers Head Coach John Tortorella. Here is a great quote from John Tortorella on Ivan Provorov:
“Provy, he’s being true to himself into his religion. This has to do with his belief in his religion, and it’s one thing I respect about Provy always true to himself.” – John Tortorella on Ivan Provorov refusing to wear the Pride Jersey
John Tortorella confirmed that Provorov sat out warm-ups because he did not want to wear the Pride Jersey, citing religious beliefs. Tortorella continued saying, “The room has always been good, whether they are winning or losing.”
Tortorella also elaborated that benching him was not a forethought because of his religious beliefs. It’s true there is a fine line with religious beliefs, so let’s see how this plays out with the fans and media alike in the near future.
Ivan Provorov was asked directly about this topic following the game, and he cited his Russian Orthodox religion:
“I respect everybody’s choices. My choice is to stay true to myself, and my religion.”
The drama never ends in Flyerland, regardless of the situation.
Lame move by Tortarella. All of his talk about the team is out the window. If Provy refused to take the ice with his team for warm ups, he should have been benched for the game. Scott Laughton is the captain of this team. Everybody knows that. Laughton spoke today about how important Pride Night is to him earlier today. Provy refused to take the ice with his captain. Provy claimed his religion prevented him from taking the ice with his team while wearing a Flyers jersey. Send him packing.
Trent your comment is a perfect example of how intolerant the supposed “tolerant are” in the world. It sound like your upset because Provy wont bow down to your religion and your god. Your saying a team has to agree on everything even what goes on in someone else’s bedroom to be a team. Because Provy refuses to bow down and celebrate someones sin he should be punished. Your 100% wrong, Philly is in the US where Provy has every right to decline doing something that goes against his beliefs. Who’s more important Laughton or God. God is period. Just because you don’t believe that (which is arbitrary) and just because you , the NHL and the rest of the woke mob want to celebrate sexual perversion does not mean everyone has to or should be punished if they don’t. I applaud Provy for standing up and doing the right thing and not bowing down to people like you.